Publications

High-energy ion tracks in thin films

Follstaedt, D.M.; Norman, Adam K.; Rossi, Paolo R.; Doyle, Barney L.

High-energy ion tracks (374 MeV Au{sup 26+}) in thin films were examined with transmission electron microscopy to investigate nanopore formation. Tracks in quartz and mica showed diffraction contrast. Tracks in sapphire and mica showed craters formed at the positions of ion incidence and exit, with a lower-density track connecting them. Direct nanopore formation by ions (without chemical etching) would appear to require film thicknesses less than 10 nm.